Fred Warner extension shows linebackers are undervalued in today's NFL

Based on the rate other positional contracts have exploded, San Francisco significantly benefitted from a league wide devaluation of linebackers.

Smith set the market at $20M in January 2023, so it's a bit surprising for Warner to net only $1M more.

The 2018 third-round pick (No. 70 overall) is coming off three consecutive first-team All-Pro selections. Last season, he had 131 tackles, seven passes defended, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, a touchdown and a sack. 

When compared to other positions, Warner's extension is a downright steal.

In September 2024, Dak Prescott reset the quarterback market when he signed a four-year, $240M extension worth $60M annually, a 9% increase ($5M) from contracts signed by Joe Burrow (September 2023), Trevor Lawrence (June 2024) and Jordan Love (July 2024).

Quarterbacks haven't been the only ones to see large spikes in the top earners at their position.

In March, Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase received a 15% raise over Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson when he signed a four-year, $161M extension, worth $5.25M more annually than his former LSU teammate's four-year, $140M contract.

Browns edge-rusher Myles Garrett's four-year, $160M extension signed on March 9 was worth $4.5M/year more than Raiders edge Maxx Crosby's three-year, $106.5M extension signed four days earlier on March 5, a 12.7% increase.

Even running back Saquon Barkley's two-year, $41.2M extension worth $20.6M annually represented an 8.4% increase over 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey's previous high for running backs ($19M/year). 

The slow rate of growth at off-ball linebacker reveals how the position is viewed in 2025.

With the explosion of passing offenses, teams have put a premium on cornerbacks — in March, Texans corner Derek Stingley became the first defensive back to earn $30M per year after signing a three-year, $90M extension — and edge-rushers — either 4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 outside linebackers — at the expense of the middle line of defense.

While they might not command as large of salaries as others, linebackers are as valuable as ever.

Take the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, for example. They struggled mightily at inside linebacker in 2023, and they had one of the league's worst defenses and lost six of their last seven games (including postseason).

Philadelphia upgraded the position last offseason after signing then-unknown Zach Baun, who went on to earn first-team All-Pro honors after manning the middle of the league's second-ranked scoring defense.

Warner's extension is an inaccurate representation of linebackers' importance in today's NFL. Despite falling out of vogue, they're just as integral to winning as when Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert, Mike Singletary or Ray Lewis roamed the gridiron.

Sure, $21M is a lot of money. But Warner is worth so much more.